Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "restrained" in the Bible often refers to the act of holding back or controlling one's actions, emotions, or desires. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of self-control, wisdom, and obedience to God's commandments.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the idea of restraint is frequently associated with wisdom and righteousness.
Proverbs 29:11 states, "A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back." This verse highlights the virtue of self-control, contrasting the impulsive nature of a fool with the deliberate restraint of a wise person. Similarly,
Proverbs 25:28 compares a person without self-control to a city broken into and left without walls, illustrating the vulnerability that comes from a lack of restraint.
The account of Joseph provides a practical example of restraint. In
Genesis 39, Joseph, despite being tempted by Potiphar's wife, exercises restraint and flees from sin, demonstrating his commitment to righteousness and his fear of God. His actions reflect the biblical principle that true strength is often shown through restraint and obedience to God's will.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, restraint is closely linked to the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 lists self-control as one of the fruits, indicating that a life led by the Spirit will naturally exhibit restraint. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently encourages believers to exercise self-control. In
1 Corinthians 9:25, he writes, "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one." Here, Paul uses the metaphor of an athlete to illustrate the discipline and restraint required in the Christian life.
James 1:19-20 further underscores the importance of restraint in speech and anger: "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." This passage encourages believers to practice restraint in their interactions with others, promoting peace and righteousness.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, restraint is seen as a reflection of God's character. God Himself is described as being slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (
Exodus 34:6). Believers are called to emulate this divine attribute, exercising restraint as a testament to their faith and as a witness to the world. Restraint is not merely a personal virtue but a communal one, fostering harmony and unity within the body of Christ.
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, restraint involves a conscious decision to align one's actions and desires with God's will. It requires reliance on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. Believers are encouraged to cultivate restraint through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and accountability within the Christian community. By doing so, they not only grow in personal holiness but also contribute to the edification of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Restrain.
Greek
2664. katapauo -- to cause to cease, to rest... Word Origin from kata and pauo Definition to cause to cease, to rest NASB Word Usage
given...rest (1), rested (2),
restrained (1). cease, give rest.
...4729. stenochoreo -- to be made narrow, to compress
... See 4730 (). Word Origin from stenos and choreo Definition to be made narrow, to
compress NASB Word Usage crushed (1),restrained (2). cramp, confine....
2967. koluo -- to hinder
... 1), forbidding (1), forbids (1), hinder (5), hindered (1), hindering (1), kept
(1), prevent (3), prevented (2), prevents (1), refuse (1),restrained (1), stand...
Strong's Hebrew
4622. matsor -- a restraint, hindrance... 4621, 4622. matsor. 4623 . a restraint, hindrance. Transliteration: matsor
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-tsore') Short Definition:
restrained.
...662. aphaq -- to hold, be strong
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to hold, be strong NASB Word Usage control
(1), controlled (2), forced (1), restrain (1),restrained (2)....
7725. shub -- to turn back, return
... may be made (1), restitution which is made (1), restore (58), restored (17), restorer
(2), restores (7), restoring (1), restrain (2),restrained (2), retire (1...
4513. mana -- to withhold, hold back
... NASB Word Usage held back (2), hinder (1), hold back (1), holds (1), keep (2), keep
back (1), kept (1), refuse (2), restrain (1),restrained (2), restrains (1...
6113. atsar -- to restrain, retain
... 1), confined (3), could (1), detain (2), detained (1), held back (2), kept (1),
prevail (1), prevented (1), recover (1), refrain (1),restrained (1), restrains...
1639. gara -- to diminish, restrain, withdraw
... Word Usage cut off (1), cut short (1), deducted (1), diminished (1), draws (1),
hinder (1), limit (1), omit (1), reduce (3), reduced (1),restrained (1), take...
3607. kala -- to shut up, restrain, withhold
... root Definition to shut up, restrain, withhold NASB Word Usage hold them back (1),
kept (1), refuse (1), restrain (3),restrained (3), shut (4), stopped (1...
2820. chasak -- to withhold, refrain
... kept (1), kept their in check (1), kept back (1), lessen (1), lessened (1), refrain
(1), requited (1), reserved (2), restrain (1),restrained (1), restrains (2...
Library
Thy Chastening Is, as a Mother of Our Infancy: --Her Rebuke is...
... Thy chastening is, as a mother of our infancy:"her rebuke is merciful, in that Thou
hastrestrained,"the children from folly, and they have been made wise!...
For Behold, O Lord, Our God, Our Creator, when Our Affections have...
... Book XIII Chapter XXII For behold, O Lord, our God, our Creator, when
our affections have beenrestrained from? For behold, O...
Other Capricious Features in the System the ??ons Unequal in...
... Chapter IX."Other Capricious Features in the System The ??ons Unequal in Attributes.
The Superiority of Nus; The Vagaries of SophiaRestrained by Horos....
That when David had Numbered the People, they were Punished; and...
... CHAPTER 13. That When David Had Numbered the People, They Were Punished;
and How the Divine CompassionRestrained That Punishment....
That the Poetical License which the Greeks, in Obedience to their...
... Book II. Chapter 9."That the Poetical License Which the Greeks, in Obedience
to Their Gods, Allowed, WasRestrained by the Ancient Romans....
Concerning the Love of Praise, Which, Though it is a vice, is...
... Book V. Chapter 13."Concerning the Love of Praise, Which, Though It is a Vice,
is Reckoned a Virtue, Because by It Greater Vice isRestrained....
The Past Day Returns not Hereafter, and after Yesterday Proceeds...
... If therefore, when betrothed bridegrooms despised or delayed, or when husbands were
abroad, carnal desire could berestrained from commission of fornication or...
Love Wooing yet More.
... Three of these tell of the human will changed, and four of its beingrestrained
against its will from doing that which it was dead-set on doing....
There are Therefore in us Evil Desires, by Consenting not unto...
... not." Therefore there take place in us evil lusts, when that pleases which is not
lawful; but they are not perfected, when evil lusts arerestrained by the...
"A Certain Young Man from Asia, Exceedingly Wealthy, of...
... Then, having been carried back to the same monastery on the shoulders of the brethren,
when the unclean spirit could not berestrained within its walls, he was...
Thesaurus
Restrained (51 Occurrences)...Restrained (51 Occurrences). Acts 14:18 And with these sayings scarce
restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
...Restrain (31 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:18 And with these sayings scarcerestrained they the people, that they had
not done sacrifice unto them.... The survivors of your wrath arerestrained....
Bound (175 Occurrences)
... line, either real or imaginary, of any object or space; that which limits or restrains,
or within which something is limited orrestrained; limit; confine...
Confessed (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 8:35 In the heavens beingrestrained, and there is no rain, because they
sin against Thee, and they have prayed towards this place, and confessed Thy...
Acknowledge (61 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 8:35 In the heavens beingrestrained, and there is no rain, because they
sin against Thee, and they have prayed towards this place, and confessed Thy...
Perished (76 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 11:17 and the anger of Jehovah hath burned against you, and He hath
restrained the heavens, and there is no rain, and the ground doth not give her...
Commandeth (60 Occurrences)
... over through the camp, saying, 'Let not man or woman make any more work for the
heave-offering of the sanctuary;' and the people arerestrained from bringing...
Prayed (97 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 8:35 In the heavens beingrestrained, and there is no rain, because they
sin against Thee, and they have prayed towards this place, and confessed Thy...
Standeth (111 Occurrences)
... night. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Numbers 16:48 and standeth between the dead
and the living, and the plague isrestrained; (YLT). Numbers...
Yearning (3 Occurrences)
... and your mighty acts? the yearning of your heart and your compassion is
restrained toward me. (WEB JPS ASV RSV). Ezekiel 24:25 And...
Resources
What is the mystery of iniquity? | GotQuestions.orgThe Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is gentleness? | GotQuestions.orgHow should Christians discipline their children? What does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.orgRestrained: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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